Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Book Spotlight and Guest Blogger...Behind the Song edited by K.M. Dalton plus giveaway!


Today I have a fun anthology to share with you...Behind the Song.

Title: Behind the Song
Author: Various; K.M. Walton, editor
Pub Date: September 1, 2017
ISBN: 9781492638810

Music takes a moment and makes it a memory. It’s a universal language that can capture love, heartbreak, loss, soul-searching, and wings spreading—all in the span of a few notes. In Behind the Song, fourteen acclaimed young adult authors and musicians share short stories and personal essays inspired by the songs, the albums, and the musicians who move them.

So turn up the volume and cue up the playlist. This is an anthology you’ll want to experience on repeat.

Buy Links:

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Here’s more from the editor of this music-themed anthology, K.M. Walton…
How music inspires my writing
I need absolute quiet while writing. It’s the only way I can write my first draft. Luckily, it’s just me and our cat Danny all day. However, music is a part of my process, it just happens after my first draft is complete. Spending so much time with my characters over the weeks and months of first-drafting allows me to deeply connect with them. Once I hit that point, I listen to songs differently, searching for connections to my characters, and I create playlists. My brain hyper-focuses on making those connections and I end up having tons of scribbled on post-its with song titles, artists, and which character the song is for. 
I’ve listed out a playlist for each of my books on my website, complete with which character the song is for and links to the songs’ music videos. I don’t know about you, but watching a music video for a song I love is quite a powerful experience, one that embeds the music into my cells.
In BEHIND THE SONG each contributor chose one of their favorite songs and used it as inspiration to write a short story or personal essay. Ideally, I recommend reading a piece in the anthology and then either listening to the accompanying song or watching the music video (the book’s website has playlists and music videos). That’s the process I followed while editing every contribution in BEHIND THE SONG. The genius and honesty in this book will blow your mind, and then add in the layer of music for an experience like no other. 
Link to BEHIND THE SONG’s website: https://www.behindthesongbook.com/ 
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About K.M. Walton…
K.M. Walton is the author of Cracked, Empty, and Ultimatum. She’s editing and contributing to her music-focused YA anthology, Behind the Song. K.M. co-authored Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking for mathematics teachers K - 8. She graduated from West Chester University with a degree in elementary education and spent most her teaching career in middle school teaching language arts. Mean people baffle her – she’s so passionate about acceptance that she gives school presentations—middle school through university level—titled: "The Power of Human Kindness.” K.M. lives in PA with Team Walton, which includes her husband, two sons, and cat. 
1 winner will receive a print copy of Behind the Song (US/CAN only)

2 comments:

  1. Music inspires me even more today than before as I've found and now listen to Christian music. The song I find that inspires me most on stressful days is Just Breathe by Diaz and the one that helps me when I'm sad is Mercy Me's song Flawless.

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    1. Same here! Contemporary Christian music is one of my favorites to listen to when I need a pick me up or am feeling down. Or just need a reminder that I'm not alone. I love Mercy Me and saw them in concert years ago. Had not heard Just Breathe, but will check it out.

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